Find Energy from canonical function

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the internal energy U of a quantum rotor using the partition function Z = 2T/s + 1/3 + s/(30T) as s/T approaches 0. The correct expression for U is established as U = nk(T - s/6 - s^2/(180T)). Participants emphasize the importance of maintaining the second-order approximation in the expansion of 1/(1+x) = 1 - x to achieve accurate results. The negative sign in the initial formulation of U is confirmed to be correct, and factoring out terms in the denominator is recommended for simplification.

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Homework Statement



Let Z=2T/s + 1/3 + s/(30T) be the partition function of a quantum rotor at s/T->0. Show that

[itex]U=nk(T-s/6-s^2/(180T)[/itex]

Homework Equations



1/(1+x) = 1 -x

The Attempt at a Solution



[itex]U=-kT^2(\partial _{T} ln(Z) )[/itex]

Hence
[itex]U=-kT^2 [2/s - s/(30T^2)] / [ 2T/s + 1/3 + s/(30T) ][/itex]

I tried dividing upper and lower equation by 2T/s and use 1/(1+x) = 1 -x but cannot find the result.
 
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boddhisattva said:
[itex]U=-kT^2(\partial _{T} ln(Z) )[/itex]
Are you sure the negative sign on the right side is correct?
[itex]U=-kT^2 [2/s - s/(30T^2)] / [ 2T/s + 1/3 + s/(30T) ][/itex]

Try factoring out 2T/s in the denominator.

Note that you want to get a result for U that is good to second order in the small quantity s/T.

So, you might need to include the next higher order in the approximation 1/(1+x) = 1 - x
 
boddhisattva said:

Homework Statement



Let Z=2T/s + 1/3 + s/(30T) be the partition function of a quantum rotor at s/T->0. Show that

[itex]U=nk(T-s/6-s^2/(180T)[/itex]

Homework Equations



1/(1+x) = 1 -x

The Attempt at a Solution



[itex]U=-kT^2(\partial _{T} ln(Z) )[/itex]
I think that it should be [itex]U=nkT^2(\partial _{T} ln(Z) )[/itex]

Hence
[itex]U=-kT^2 [2/s - s/(30T^2)] / [ 2T/s + 1/3 + s/(30T) ][/itex]

I tried dividing upper and lower equation by 2T/s and use 1/(1+x) = 1 -x but cannot find the result.
I got their answer. You are doing it right but, as already pointed out, maybe you forgot to keep the expansion to second order, which you have to do here,
[itex]1/(1-x) = 1 + x + x^2 + \ldots[/itex]
 

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